"Going in and occupying Iraq, thus unilaterally exceeding the U.N.'s mandate, would have destroyed the precedent of international response to aggression we hoped to establish. Had we gone the invasion route, the U.S. could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land. It would have been a dramatically different--and perhaps barren--outcome."
"Trying to eliminate Saddam, extending the ground war into an occupation of Iraq, would have violated our guideline about not changing objectives in midstream, engaging in "mission creep," and would have incurred incalculable human and political costs."
George H. W. Bush "A World Transformed" 1998
2006-08-17 04:50:47 · 20 answers · asked by john_stolworthy 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Randy D - do you deny that, even though he said that long before 9/11 (which has NOTHING to do with Iraq), he was still right?
2006-08-17 05:04:19 · update #1
My guess is that W respects his dad as a person, he's nice to him at dinner and all that. However, even Bob Woodward, a Bush apologist and insider, said that W didn't consult with his dad on anything. There is a famous quote from Woodward's book of 2 years ago where W said he answers to a "higher father." Woodward also said that Bush feels that God put him in office, and that he has a mission.
This also fits in with the unitary executive theory whereby the president's office grabs all the power it can, really in a way that is contrary to the spirit of the constitution which is founded on checks and balances. Congress and much of the judiciary was not appointed by God, they shouldn't have the ability to check the executive in any significant way.
2006-08-17 04:54:27 · answer #1 · answered by TxSup 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Great point. I thought Bush gave the most disgusting, unChristian and disrespectful answer when a reporter asked him if he seeks his father's advice on any matters.
Bush said, "There is a higher Father that I appeal to." Only Bush could invoke God while breaking one of the 10 commandments and insulting his war-hero Dad.
2006-08-17 04:57:54 · answer #2 · answered by Tanker100343 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know this may be difficult for you to understand, but 1998 was before 9/11/2001. Do your math, idiot!! God Bless you.
2006-08-17 04:59:25 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I may borrow a method from Socrates (answering a question with a question).
Does Bush think his father is an idiot?
Do YOU think YOUR father is an idiot?
Either way- you now have your answer.
Have a great day!!!
2006-08-17 04:56:51 · answer #4 · answered by Coo coo achoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does Bush think his father is an idiot?
No, just the rest of the country.
2006-08-17 04:56:33 · answer #5 · answered by GetMeTheBigKnife 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe not an idiot, but he prob thinks he was a coward. In 2 more years, I bet he'll revise that.
2006-08-17 04:56:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes he had to try and finish the job his father didn't. Ask me there both idiots. Like father like son!
2006-08-17 04:56:25 · answer #7 · answered by Just wondering 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He still thinks he is a Cheerleader of our country ! That is why he enjoys war, Rah Rah Rah, Sis Boom Bah !
2006-08-17 04:57:06 · answer #8 · answered by ₦âħí»€G 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think Daddy needs to put Georgie over his knee.
http://www.buckfush.com/images/bush_Bolton_Rich_Kid_Option.jpg
2006-08-17 05:06:19 · answer #9 · answered by Dr.Feelgood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What GHW says publicly is probably not what he told his son privately. I am sure he had a burning desire to eliminate SH.
2006-08-17 04:54:57 · answer #10 · answered by Hockey, Guns & Beer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋